environment
Carbon pollution has fuelled ‘massive expansion’ of marine heatwaves in Europe, study finds
Hottest periods this year in most sea regions would have been ‘virtually impossible’ in a preindustrial climate
TL;DR
- Marine heatwaves in Europe have seen a "massive expansion" this summer, fueled by carbon pollution.
- Some European waters recorded temperatures 6C higher than normal, with these extreme heat events being "virtually impossible" in a preindustrial climate.
- Climate breakdown is responsible for about two-thirds of the excess heat in affected waters.
- Hot seas can cause the death of habitat-forming species, disrupt ecosystems, and lead to large-scale mortality of fish and seabirds.
- Marine heatwaves can also raise dangerous overnight temperatures in coastal regions.
- The study's findings are particularly concerning given Europe's position as the fastest-warming continent.
- Experts urge an end to fossil fuel expansion, stating that new oil and gas projects lock in more warming and push ecosystems towards irreversible limits.